Group tours for solo travelers? Yes, please! These 10 tour companies make travel fun for everyone.
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The best solo travel tours
While backpacking around Europe in college, I experienced for the first time the joys of traveling solo—and the downsides. I felt a new sense of exhilaration and freedom … but also the trepidations of being alone in a foreign country. On a particularly harrowing overnight train trip between Austria and the South of France, I used my backpack as a pillow so it wouldn’t get stolen! Some of my traveler friends avoided these concerns by taking solo travel tours, like the ubiquitous Contiki tours popular with my age group at the time (and still around today).
But even if you enjoy going it alone, that doesn’t mean you have to spend an entire vacation by yourself. Solo group tours and excursions hit some of the best places to travel and deliver the independence of solo travel with the connection and security that comes from traveling with others. Plus, the logistics are taken care of, so you’re free to just have fun!
“I think group trips are great to ‘practice’ traveling solo,” says travel expert Carolyn Ray, CEO and editor of the solo-travel website JourneyWoman. “For example, I did a group trip on my first Camino pilgrimage, and now I’m doing a second one on my own: I’ve planned it all myself, booked the accommodations, trains, luggage transfer. The first time I literally just showed up and walked it!”
To get expert-backed tips on solo travel, I spoke to Ray, along with Becky Blaine, managing editor of newsletters for the travel website The Points Guy, and travel guru Samantha Brown, host of Places to Love on PBS. Read on for my curated list of the best group tours for solo travelers, and discover which one is right for you.
How we chose the best solo travel tours and excursions
In addition to checking out online reviews of travel groups for solo tourists, I asked my experts for recommendations and general advice on traveling solo for a variety of needs and experiences. I included only tours catering exclusively to solo travelers; some companies, such as Intrepid and Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), have a large percentage of solo travelers and market themselves as “solo-friendly” but don’t have dedicated solo-only trips.
Since safety is so important to solo travelers, I selected tour groups that have a strong focus on traveler safety and offer support if you need help. “If you have a lot of concerns and you still want to travel solo, especially internationally, then a tour group is an exceptional way to assuage those fears,” Brown says. “They are responsible for you; what they are doing has been well researched, and the guides are trained to handle all the disruptions that can come from travel. You’ll have an advocate and a built-in safety net.”
I also made sure the companies are accredited or otherwise recognized as reputable, based on this tip from Blaine: “Look for vetted agents and operators who belong to well-known associations such as ATTA [Adventure Travel Trade Association] or ASTA [American Society of Travel Agents].”
I included as many solo travel tours with private rooms (and without the dreaded “single supplement”) as possible, unless I stated otherwise. “A single supplement is an extra fee added onto the quoted price for a tour, cruise or hotel room, which base their pricing on having two people in that room,” Ray says. “In our recent study, Invisible No More, 78% of women over 50 said the single supplement is the biggest barrier to solo travel. This means that they must share a room to reduce costs, something most are not interested in.”
Budget was also a factor: I didn’t choose over-the-top luxury tours, but went with more affordable, yet comfortable, group trips. “Having your travel packaged for you can save money, especially with operators who plan for groups,” Blaine says.
Ready to get going? Here are my top 10 tours for solo travelers.
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Go Ahead Tours
Best for: Beginners
For your first solo adventure, you’ll want to pick a tour group that will handle all the details. Go Ahead Tours offers specific tours for solo travelers that include private rooms, meals, a tour director, 24-7 support, local guides (to top sights and hidden gems) and everything else you’ll need. The group size is around 14 to 20 people, so it’s not too overwhelming—but not so small that there’s a risk you won’t click with anyone.
“Group travel is a really good way to get started in solo travel, particularly if you’re feeling anxious or aren’t sure where to start,” says Ray, whose favorite solo trips have been to Spain. “We see a lot of widows, for example, who may have only traveled with their husbands and want to build confidence and new friendships on groups.”
Although there isn’t a specific age range, Go Ahead Tours tends to skew a little older, with most travelers over 35. Solo travel tours are offered to Europe as well as more far-flung places like Japan, Thailand and Kenya.
This minority-owned tour company specializes in women traveling alone, and with just six to 10 women per trip, you’re guaranteed a small group. Who knows, you might just find a new bestie! You’ll even get a chance to chat with your group in pre-trip connection calls.
With the feel of a close-knit community and an understanding of the dangers of solo female travel, WTA focuses on safe travel. In addition, all boutique hotel rooms are guaranteed private. WTA definitely doesn’t skimp on creature comforts, but with one up-front price and no single supplements, you may find the trip is more budget-friendly than you think. Global-tour destinations range from Asia to Europe to South America.
“A benefit with women-only trips is the feeling of safety that’s created: Many men will never truly appreciate the potential dangers we face, and women feel safer with other women,” Ray says. “When we feel safe, we can push our boundaries and fuel our freedom and independence. Surrounding yourself with women on a group trip can be empowering and educational.”
This solo tour company’s initials stand for “For the Love of Travel,” and it aims to make its global trips fun and energetic for busy travelers ages 25 to 39.
The company notes that 60% of those who go on its trips say they are “single and ready to mingle,” but there’s no pressure if you’re just there to meet new people, chill out with cool folks and create new memories. FTLO is also open to diverse travelers, including the LGBTQ+ community, and offers trip categories based on vibes, such as beachy, foodie, active and historical.
This tour company exclusively designs trips for solo travelers, so it is an expert at bringing unique, curated experiences to like-minded individuals of varying ages. The flexibility of the tours encourages group members to form friendships, and while that’s not required, it’s certainly a great perk.
“I really like traveling solo, but being put into a group of other solo travelers gives me a chance to step out of my comfort zone a bit and make new friends while discovering new places,” says Blaine, whose favorite solo trip was hiking the Dolomites in Italy.
Although the majority of Just You travelers are women, the company says it is seeing more men joining the fun. Hotel rooms are always private with no single supplements, and destinations include Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. The company is based in the U.K., so the booking process might be a little more complicated (prices on the website are in pounds, for example), but the group welcomes travelers from all over.
Want to go cycling in Albania, or walk the coast of Portugal? This tour company specializing in adventure travel has dedicated trips exclusively reserved for solo adventurers, so you can explore far-flung destinations through active pursuits—think: hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and more—with other fun-loving solos. However, you will have a roommate unless you pay for a single upgrade when available.
Although the solo-only offerings are a bit limited, all Exodus tours cater to individual travelers, with about half of participants traveling alone on all trips. Reviews note that the tours are exceptionally well organized. Bonus: The company will help you book flights as well.
G Adventures is one of the most popular tour companies around, and now it has introduced its new “Solo-ish” tours: Affordable travel for solo vacationers to 35 destinations, such as Morocco, India and Peru. The first three days of your trip are dedicated to getting to know your fellow travelers, with a dinner party, an outing with the local community and even a surprise activity. But don’t worry: If you crave alone time, it offers a Me Day, where you’re free to do your own thing.
“G Adventures offers more than 700 different itineraries, and with a nonprofit foundation called Planeterra that partners with local communities to support social and economic development, G Adventures’ approach to small-group travel is intimate and sustainable,” Blaine says.
This is a great option for budget-conscious travelers looking to get to know a new bestie: Rooms are generally double occupancy, so you’ll be paired with someone of the same gender. Or you can splurge for the My Own Room option. G Adventures attracts younger, active travelers, but the number of older participants is growing.
When looking for tour groups, the founders of Flash Pack saw there were many for the 20-something Gen Z travel crowd and the over-60 retirees but not much in between. So they started this solo tour company with immersive, experiential global trips divided into specific middle-age ranges: 30 to 49 and 45 to 59.
“Traveling solo in midlife is what I consider perfect timing: In midlife—I’m there myself—we’re at this juncture and inundated with questions about what direction our life is going, and there’s nothing better than having new surroundings and opening yourself up to new possibilities,” says Brown, who loves traveling solo in cities such as Vienna and Bologna, Italy. “I always say that when you travel, you are no longer surrounded by what is familiar, and that familiarity is a comfort, but that comfort is also a barrier that stops other ideas and solutions from getting through.”
Flash Pack’s pricing has no hidden fees; the only downside is that accommodations are based on double occupancy, so you’ll be sharing a room or opting to upgrade if you want one all to yourself. But the company matches up roommates based on who they think will get along and says it has an 8.6 out of 10 rating for getting it right. In fact, Flash Pack claims that 80% of participants stay in touch after their trip.
With a focus on lifelong learning, Road Scholar specializes in fun and educational trips for older adults. “When researching a tour operator, make sure they cater to the type of traveler you are: For example, not every destination or every operator is set up for accessible travel,” Blaine says. Road Scholar’s focus on older travelers fits that bill to a T.
Destinations near and far range from Chicago and New Orleans to Bhutan and Costa Rica, and each trip also has an activity rating, so you can be sure it’s right for your mobility level. And while solo travelers are welcome on all Road Scholar excursions, it has also recently started offering “Go Solo” trips, which are exclusively for people traveling alone. All rates are based on single occupancy in all-private rooms, so you don’t have to worry about sharing or extra costs.
This tour company focuses on authentic travel, diverse groups, local food and sometimes remote locations. Geared toward 30- and 40-somethings, OWR aims to provide a high-quality experience without venturing into luxury travel. For example, lodging is mostly three- and four-star hotels, and carefully selected eateries may include everything from family-run restaurants to street food.
“I’ve found that locals become more friendly toward me when traveling solo, and not in a weird way—people generally enjoy connecting one-on-one,” Brown says. “Locals tend to do a lot alone, like going out to eat. By doing this, you’ll fit more into the local scene as a solo traveler.”
The OWR vibe is active, friendly and flexible, with an understanding that experiencing different cultures can sometimes mean different standards than we’re used to. Groups are small, with an average of 10 travelers, and accommodations are usually shared unless you pay for an upgrade to a private room. Destinations include everywhere from Kenya and India to Brazil and Japan.
This U.K. company has been curating solo senior travel for people over 50 for 40 years. “One common misperception is that solo travel is only for the young,” Ray says. “Most solo travelers are women over 50, and with longevity trends, this market is only going to grow. It’s never too late to get started in solo travel.” Good news: Solos is now available to U.S. travelers!
With 250 trips across over 60 countries, Solos offers something for everyone: Highlights include “Solos Exclusives,” in which entire small hotels are exclusive to your group, and holiday-themed travel to European Christmas markets and New Year’s celebrations around the world. Other specialized solo trips include sports-themed jaunts such as golf, skiing and tennis; adventure, active and bucket-list trips; and even cruises. Best of all, all rooms are guaranteed private with no single supplement.
Samantha Brown is one of the most recognizable travel experts on television, having hosted over 10 travel shows, including the Travel Channel’s Great Vacation Homes and Passport to Europe. She currently hosts and produces Samantha Brown’s Places to Love on PBS, which has won Emmys for Outstanding Travel/Adventure Program and Outstanding Host.
Carolyn Ray is the CEO and editor of the online travel resource JourneyWoman. Established in Canada in 1994, JourneyWoman is known as the first solo travel website and publication for women. The site hosts the Women’s Travel Directory, a vetted list of tours for female travelers.
Becky Blaine is the managing editor of newsletters at the travel website The Points Guy. Blaine spent 19 years in the tourism industry, including six years as the deputy director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, prior to joining The Points Guy.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this story on solo travel tours, Tina Donvito tapped her experience as a seasoned traveler and journalist to ensure all suggestions are appropriate and offer great travel advice for readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
Carolyn Ray, CEO and editor of JourneyWoman; email interview, March 2026
Becky Blaine, managing editor of newsletters at The Points Guy; email interview, March 2026
Samantha Brown, host of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love on PBS; email interview, March 2026
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